Secondary Intention Healing of Nasal Ala and Tip Defects: A Simple and Valuable Treatment Option

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the cosmetic outcomes of secondary intention healing of small (<1.5cm) nasal ala and tip defects.

Patients and methods: From August 2017 to October 2020, 42 patients with nasal reconstructions using secondary intention healing were included. Defects after excision ranged from 0.5cm×0.7cm to 1.2cm×1.5cm in size. Foam dressing covering the wounds was changed every 3 to 5 days. Wound esthetic outcomes were graded as excellent, good, acceptable, and poor based on definitions described in the literature.

Results: All 42 wounds healed in 3 to 4 weeks, with uniform color, no obvious adverse reactions and high patient satisfaction. Esthetic evaluation: 16 excellent cases (38.1%), 19 good cases (45.2%), 7 acceptable cases (16.7%) and 0 poor cases.

Conclusion: Secondary intention healing of small nasal tip and ala defects in Chinese yielded satisfactory esthetic outcomes and should be an integral part of the surgeon's reconstructive algorithm.

Keywords: ala; foam dressing; nasal tip; secondary intention healing.